NEWCOMERSTOWN (Tusco TV) - Newcomerstown school officials are bringing parents together for a conversation on teen mental health and modern-day dangers. 

Curriculum Director Seth Corder says there's a “Let’s Talk” forum happening tonight in the Newcomerstown High School with speakers addressing some of the major areas of concern cited by parents. Corder says the topics were chosen based on responses to a recent parent survey and include youth mental health, substance use, internet safety and cyberbullying. 

"Tonight’s event is geared primarily toward the adults because we wanted to make sure our adults - our parents, community members, caregivers - are equipped to have difficult conversations with kids outside of school," he says. 

The event opens at 5:30 pm with an information fair highlighting the help available to youth and their parents with the speakers. Corder says the forum starts at 6 with a presentation from the school’s student-led prevention leaders and continues with talks from an area educator whose daughter died by suicide as well as a local mental health expert.  

"Cheryl Weber, a former educator and coach at Cambridge City, is gonna come in and talk about teen mental health and suicide awareness. Then, John Aller from Stark County Mental Health and Recovery, he’s the executive director there, he’s gonna be speaking to our parents about how and when to talk with their kids about tough topics such as the impact of social media, much of which for our young people, unfortunately, can be negative," he says. 

Corder says the forum is open to any adult from Tuscarawas County raising or caring for school-age children. He says there may be a second installment in the spring depending on tonight’s turnout.  

TUSCO TV